Generating a sensory indication

ABSTRACT

A system and method is provided for generating a sensory indication on a transaction card, whereby a user is rewarded with a visual, audial, haptic, or olfactory experience. The method comprises executing a purchase transaction on the card, the transaction relating to an event, charging a power source on the card, receiving an input signal by the card, the signal indicating an output indication relevant to the event, and generating an output signal using power from the power source, based on the input signal. The card comprises a security component enabling a purchase relating to an event, a power source receiving charging energy at the time of the purchase, an input component receiving an input signal comprising information specifying a desired indication relevant to the event, an output component for generating the desired indication, one or more memories storing instructions and one or more processors executing the instructions to perform the method.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to systems and methods for generating a sensoryindication on a credit, debit, or similar card (hereinafter “transactioncard”).

BACKGROUND

When a conventional transaction card is used at a transaction terminalto make a purchase, the terminal reads information, for example, cardnumber, expiration date, security code, etc. embedded in a chip ormagnetic strip on the card. Other information, for example, theremaining limit on the card, can be retrieved via a network connection,in order to accept or decline a transaction amount. There are somecompanies, like Swyp®, Stratos® and Plastc® that offer a type oftransaction card known as a “smart” card. A smart card is capable ofembedding information from move than one transaction card account on asingle card. A potential advantage of a smart card is that if a user hasmore than one account, the user could carry a single smart card withembedded information from all of the accounts owned by the user, ratherthan carry multiple transaction cards. More information on smart cardscan be found in, for example, an article written by David Pierce on May5, 2015 entitled “My Weekend Confusing People With a Futuristic CreditCard” published in WIRED magazine and an article written by SharonProfis on May 25, 2015 entitled “Smart credit cards are coming. Here'swhat you need to know.” published in CNET.

Conventional transaction cards and smart cards have information of thecard and an owner's card account embedded on the cards, but these cardsare not capable of, for example, displaying information pertaining to anowner of the cards. In particular, these cards are not capable ofcreating a synchronized experience by generating a simultaneous displayacross cards owned by a plurality of users or an audible personalexperience for a single user of the cards. For example, multiple ownersof cards used to purchase tickets for an event cannot simultaneously berecipients of a visual, audial, haptic, olfactory, etc. experiencegenerated by the cards during the event by, for example, having theircards simultaneously light up 3 seconds after a touchdown for a durationof 10 seconds during a football game, or at the start of a rock concert,or at the stroke of midnight on December 31 at Times Square. Theseexperiences can be, for example, an advertising initiative created by anissuer of the card to demonstrate its member strength or anindividualized experience, for example emitting “woo hoo” sounds from acard when an owner uses the card for the 100^(th) time to purchase gasat a particular gas station. Such experiences cannot be accomplishedwith conventional transaction or smart cards.

SUMMARY

Consistent with the present disclosure, systems and methods are providedfor generating a sensory indication on a transaction card. Embodimentsconsistent with the present disclosure include computer-implementedsystems and methods for generating a sensory indication on a transactioncard whereby the user is rewarded with a visual, audial, haptic,olfactory, etc. experience in the future. Embodiments consistent withthe present disclosure may overcome the drawbacks or problems set forthabove.

Consistent with one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented methodis provided for generating a sensory indication. The method comprisesexecuting a purchase transaction using a transaction card, the purchasetransaction relating to an event, charging a rechargeable power sourceon the transaction card, receiving an input signal by the card, theinput signal indicating an output indication relevant to the event, andgenerating an output signal using power from the power source, based onthe input signal.

Consistent with another exemplary embodiment, a transaction cardcomprises a security component enabling a purchase transaction relatingto an event, a rechargeable power source receiving charging energy atthe time of the purchase transaction, an input component receiving aninput signal comprising information specifying a desired indicationrelevant to the event, an output component for generating the desiredindication, one or more memories storing instructions and one or moreprocessors executing the instructions to perform operations comprisingstoring the received information, supplying energy from the power sourceto the out component, and generating the output signal, based on theinput signal is disclosed.

Consistent with another embodiment, a computer-readable storage mediumcomprises a set of instructions executable by at least one processor toperform a method for generating a sensory indication is disclosed. Themethod comprising executing a purchase transaction using a transactioncard, the purchase transaction relating to an event, charging arechargeable power source on the transaction card, receiving an inputsignal by the card, the input signal specifying an output indicationrelated to the event, and generating an output signal using power fromthe power source, based on the input signal.

Consistent with other disclosed embodiments, non-transitory computerreadable storage media may store program instructions, which areexecuted by at least one processing device and perform any of themethods described herein.

Before explaining certain embodiments of the present disclosure indetail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of embodiments inaddition to those described and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein, as well as in the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionand features upon which this disclosure is based may readily be used asa basis for designing other charge cards, methods, and systems forcarrying out the several purposes of the present disclosure.Furthermore, the claims should be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary transaction cards consistent with thedisclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of atransaction card, consistent with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of events illustrating an exemplary operation of atransaction card, consistent with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of events illustrating another exemplary operationof a transaction card, consistent with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodimentsimplemented according to the disclosure, the examples of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the samereference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like parts.

Embodiments herein include computer-implemented methods, tangiblenon-transitory computer-readable media, and systems. Thecomputer-implemented methods may be executed, for example, by at leastone processor (e.g., a processing device) that receives instructionsfrom non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Similarly, systemsconsistent with the present disclosure may include at least oneprocessor and memory, and the memory may be non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media. As used herein, a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media refers to any type of physical memory onwhich information or data readable by at least one processor may bestored. Examples include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory(ROM), volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs,flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.Singular terms, such as “memory” and “computer-readable storage medium,”may additionally refer to multiple structures, such a plurality ofmemories and/or computer-readable storage media. As referred to herein,a “memory” may comprise any type of computer-readable storage mediaunless otherwise specified. A computer-readable storage medium may storeinstructions for execution by at least one processor, includinginstructions for causing the processor to perform steps or stagesconsistent with an embodiment herein. Additionally, one or morecomputer-readable storage media may be utilized in implementing acomputer-implemented method. The term “computer-readable storage media”should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier wavesand transient signals.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods forgenerating a sensory indication. The disclosed embodiments allow aterminal to facilitate a purchase transaction via a security component,for example, a chip built into a transaction card, when the card ispresented at the terminal by placing the card inside a special slot,i.e., chip reader, on the terminal. The purchase transaction can also befacilitated via a magnetic strip built into the card, in which case thecard is presented by swiping through a special channel on the terminal.The purchase transaction can be enabled remotely, in which case the cardis presented by waving the card in close proximity to a special readerportion on the terminal. These are just some of the ways that thetransaction can be enabled, and these ways are not limiting.

The disclosed embodiments include a power source, e.g., a rechargeablebattery or a capacitor, built into the card to be powered while the cardis presented at the terminal by placing it inside, swiping through, orwaving near the terminal. According to some embodiments consistent withthe present disclosure, only certain purchases cause the power source tobe charged, while in other embodiments the power source is chargedduring all purchases or for selected purchases based on an individualuser's preference or purchasing habits. These are just some of the waysand times the power source is charged, and these ways are not limiting.In some embodiments, the card draws power from the terminal itself whilethe card is placed inside, swiped through, or waved near the terminal.Drawing power in these and other manners is known in the art and hencewill not be explained in further detail.

The disclosed embodiments may further include an input component on thecard to receive input signals. Receipt of these input signals may becontrolled by a user through user preferences or by the issuer of thecard. Both controlling methods may employ GPS capability and wired orwireless networking to function as intended. Since the methodology ofGPS and networking is well known in the art, it will not be furtherelaborated. According to embodiments consistent with the presentdisclosure, the input signals may be, for example, indications of acertain day and time during an event for which a purchase is made. Forexample, if the purchase is a ticket for a football game on Monday, Jan.1, 2018 and the game begins at 5 PM EST, the input signal may be astatic signal, inputted into the card to enable an activation component(discussed later) when the purchase was made at the terminal, with theinput signal specifying the starting time of the game. According toembodiments consistent with the present disclosure, since the inputsignal is inputted into the card when the purchase was made at theterminal, the signal activates the sensory indication using GPScoordinates of the card's location. Accordingly, every card present atthe game will emit an output signal (discussed later) and every card notpresent at the game will also emit the output signal.

The input signal may also be a dynamic signal, for example, wirelesslytransmitted to and received by the card at the desired time of thesensory indication, using GPS coordinates of the football game'slocation. For example, the input signal may initiate a sensoryindication at a time just after the National Anthem is played or justafter a touchdown has been confirmed. Accordingly, every card present atthe game will receive the dynamic input signal and every card notpresent at the game will not. According to embodiments consistent withthe present disclosure, the issuer of the card may control thetransmission of the dynamic input signal. For example, if the issuer ofthe card is aware that a majority of its card holders are rooting for ateam, the issuer may send the dynamic signal to cards of just themajority card holders, or send it to a majority of cards with hapticcapability only, or to a majority of cards with audial capability only.On the other hand, if the game is the Orange Bowl football game inFlorida, the issuer may send the dynamic signal to cards of all cardholders, so that a majority of spectators emit the output signal.

The input signal may also be generated, for example, upon a countdown ofa certain repeated occurrence. For example, if a user uses a specificgas station to make gas purchases more regularly than at other gasstations, the input signal could be generated when, for example, a100^(th) purchase is made at that gas station.

The disclosed embodiments may further include an output component forgenerating an output signal consisting of a sensory indication.According to embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, thesensory indication may be a display of lights, sounds, smells, hapticsensations (e.g., vibrations), or other type of indication which may beperceived by human senses. According to embodiments consistent with thepresent disclosure, the output component is powered by the power sourceand may generate the output signal upon activation by an activationcomponent (discussed below).

The disclosed embodiments comprise an activation component foractivating the output component to generate the output signal. Accordingto embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, the activationcomponent may be enabled by an input signal when a purchase is madeusing the transaction card. For example, when the card is inserted in achip reader or swiped in a strip reader on a terminal, the card receivesan input signal enabling the activation component to begin a count-downto an event based on the input signal. As discussed, the event could bea certain day and time during an event for which a purchase is made or acountdown based on a certain repeated occurrence. According toembodiments consistent with the present disclosure, the activationcomponent may employ a RAM chip, which requires power drawn from thepower source to stay functional. In this embodiment, if the transactioncard is lost or damaged, the power source could be turned off via, forexample, a user-set preference. According to embodiments consistent withthe present disclosure, data for the activation component may be storedin a ROM chip, which does not require power drawn from the power sourceto stay functional. In this embodiment, if the transaction card is lostor damaged, the timer within the activation component could still beturned off by special instructions via, for example, a user preference.

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary transactions cards 10 a-10 d, consistentwith the present disclosure. Transaction cards 10 a-10 d may each have asemiconductor chip 12, a power source 14, an activation component 16,and an output component 18 a-18 d, respectively, embedded in the card.In some embodiments, functions of activation component 16 may beimplemented in chip 12. Each card may also have a magnetic strip (notshown) affixed thereto.

Chip 12 may appear as a gold-colored square imprint on the card, andcontain the card's information, for example, the number, expirationdate, etc. Chip 12 may also include card owner information, for example,name and address, which may be used to print on a receipt, as well asfinancial information, for example, the remaining balance available on adebit card. Chip 12 may also contain a security component of the cardthat enables a purchase transaction to be honored or denied.

According to disclosed embodiments, chip 12 may also includefunctionality to receive an input signal associated with a particularday and time connected with the purchase. For example, if the purchaseis for a ticket to a football game, the input signal may specify thestarting time of the game. Chip 12 may also receive an input signalassociated with a real-time event, such as scoring of a touchdown.Moreover, chip 12 may also generate an input signal upon, for example,completion of a specified number of purchases from the same merchant. Inlieu of chip 12 receiving the input signal, each card may also have areceiving component (not shown), separate from chip 12 and embedded inthe card.

Power source 14 may be a rechargeable battery or a capacitor capable ofstoring electrical energy. According to disclosed embodiments, the powersource may be charged when the card is presented at a terminal byinserting, swiping, or waving. The charging of the power source may bedone every time the card is presented at a terminal or for only certainpurchases.

Activation component 16 activates an output component (discussed later)to generate an output signal. According to disclosed embodiments,activation component 16 may be enabled when a purchase is made using thetransaction card. When the card is inserted in the chip reader on aterminal, activation component 16 may start a count-down to a timeassociated with an event related to the purchase.

Returning to FIG. 1 , output components 18 a-18 d generate an outputsignal upon activation by activation component 16. Even though only fourdifferent types of output components are discussed, other types ofoutput components are well within the scope of the present disclosure.The output component is powered by power source 14 and is activated byactivation component 16. According to disclosed embodiments, card 10 ahas output component 18 a which generates a visual indication and mayinclude, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). Card 10 b includesan output component 18 b which may generate a sonic output using, forexample, a speaker. Card 10 c includes an olfactory output component 18c for emitting an odor associated with an event. For example, if theevent is the Orange Bowl football game in Florida, the odor emittedcould be that of orange blossoms. Card 10 d includes a haptic outputcomponent generating an output indication sensible via touch. Forexample, 18 d may be a gyroscope device capable of making the cardvibrate.

Each card could have multiple output components that may functionindependently or in synchronism with each other. For example, a card mayhave both an output component capable of a visual indication and aseparate output component capable of sonic indication. When the outputcomponents are activated, the card could light up and emit a sound ifboth output components are functioning in synchronism with each other.According to disclosed embodiments, when a card has multiple outputcomponents, each component may be independently connected to powersource 14. A user may arrange with a card issuer to choose which and howmany output components to be placed on the card.

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating operation of an exemplarytransaction card, consistent with the present disclosure. At a timet−30, a card 10 a belonging to a user is used at a terminal 20 to make apurchase. For example, the purchase may be for a ticket to a concertthat begins at time t. The purchase causes terminal 20 to send an inputsignal to chip 12, causing activation component 16 to generate andsupply an output signal to output component 18 a. As illustrated,activation component 16 of card 10 a stores a value of 30.

Next, at a time t−15, a card 10 b belonging to a second user is used atthe same or a different terminal 20 to purchase a ticket to the sameconcert. Card 10 b receives an input signal from terminal 20 andactivation component 16 of card 10 b stores a value of 15. Asillustrated, activation component 16 of card 10 a, which is continuallybeing updated with passage of time, is updated to 15.

Next, at time t−0, activation component 16 in card 10 a activates theoutput component 18 a and the card lights up. Simultaneously, theactivation component 16 in card 10 b activates output component 18 b andcard 10 b emits a sound. In a similar manner, cards, 10 a-10 d of otherusers in the audience simultaneously generate sensory indications,causing a synchronized indication of light, sound, odor, and/orvibrations. Such a synchronized group activity is not capable byconventional transaction cards or smart cards.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of events illustrating an exemplary method 300 ofa transaction card, for example 10 a, in accordance with the presentdisclosure. At step 310, the method starts and continues to step 320where card 10 a is used to make a purchase at a terminal 20. At step330, this purchase causes terminal 20 to charge power source 14, andsend an input signal to card 10 n. Next at step 340, the input signalcauses activation component 16 to be supplied with data specifying a dayand time associated with the event for which the ticket was purchased.As explained earlier, if the purchase is for a sporting event, the datacould specify a time during the game (a static time) or a time toprepare to receive a wireless input signal (a dynamic time). Next atstep 350, activation component 16 makes a check to see if the storeddata matches the current time. If there is no match, the method returnsto step 340 (the “No” branch from step 350). If, on the other hand,there is a match (the “Yes” branch from step 350), the method proceedsto step 360 where the output component, for example 18 a, displays avisual indication, i.e., a display of LED lights and the method ends atstep 370.

FIG. 4 is another flowchart of events illustrating an exemplary method400 of a transaction card, for example 10 b, in accordance with thepresent disclosure. At step 410, the method starts and continues to step420 where card 10 b is used for making a purchase at a terminal 20 of aspecific merchant. At step 430, this purchase causes terminal 20 tocharge power source, for example 14, and send an input signal to card 10b. Next at step 440, the input signal causes activation component 16 tobe supplied with data incrementing a counter associated with purchasesat the specified merchant. Next at step 450, activation component 16makes a check to see if the counter value on activation component 16matches a predetermined threshold, for example, 100. If there is nomatch, the method returns to step 440 (the “No” branch from step 450).If, on the other hand, there is a match (the “Yes” branch from step450), the method proceeds to step 460 where activation component 16causes output component 18 b to emit a sound, i.e., a voice messagecongratulating the user for 100 purchases using the card at the specificmerchant, and the method ends at step 470.

It should be noted that activation component 16 may employ more than onetimer or counter at any given time. That is, there could be a firstactive countdown to a first recurring event while there is a secondactive countdown to a second recurring event. It should also be notedthat activation component 16 may be employed for activities other thantimed or recurring events. For example, activation component couldactivate output component 18 upon completion of a purchase of a valuegreater than a threshold amount, a promotional event associated with aparticular purchase, or an advertising initiative by the card issuer forcertain purchases. The qualifying factor for activating the outputcomponent may be controlled by a user through user preferences (if theuser has more than one output component on the card, the user couldspecify which output component is activated) or by the issuer of thecard. Both controlling methods may employ GPS coordination and wired orwireless networking to provide the desired functionality.

In the preceding specification, various exemplary embodiments andfeatures have been described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications andchanges may be made thereto, and additional embodiments and features maybe implemented, without departing from the broader scope of thedisclosed embodiments as set forth in the claims that follow. Thespecification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in anillustrative rather than restrictive sense.

For example, advantageous results still could be achieved if steps ofthe disclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or ifcomponents in the disclosed systems were combined in a different mannerand/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Further, theexemplary graphical user interfaces illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 are forpurposes of visually understanding the teachings and embodiments of thepresent disclosure and are not limiting to the arrangement of thevarious parts of the interface, or the number of parts viewable by auser.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes ofillustration. It is not exhaustive and is not limited to the preciseforms or embodiments disclosed. Modifications and adaptations will beapparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the disclosed embodiments.

Furthermore, while embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed with reference to generating a sensory indication, embodimentsof the present disclosure may be applied to receive, process, andvisualize other types of indications in many formats. Otherimplementations are also within the scope of the following exemplaryclaims.

Additionally, although aspects of the disclosed embodiments aredescribed as being stored in memory, one skilled in the art willappreciate that these aspects can also be stored on other types ofcomputer readable media, such as secondary storage devices, for example,hard disks or CD ROM, or other forms of RAM or ROM, USB media, DVD,Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, or other optical drive media.

Computer programs based on the written description and disclosed methodsare within the skill of an experienced developer. The various programsor program modules can be created using any of the techniques known toone skilled in the art or can be designed in connection with existingsoftware. For example, program sections or program modules can bedesigned in or by means of .Net Framework, .Net Compact Framework (andrelated languages, such as Visual Basic, C, etc.). Java, C++,Objective-C, HTML, HTML/AJAX combinations, XML, or HTML with includedJava applets.

Moreover, while illustrative embodiments have been described herein, thescope of any and all embodiments having equivalent elements,modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across variousembodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated bythose skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Thelimitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on thelanguage employed in the claims and not limited to examples described inthe present specification or during the prosecution of the application.The examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Furthermore, thesteps of the disclosed methods may be modified in any manner, includingby reordering steps and/or inserting or deleting steps. It is intended,therefore, that the specification and examples be considered asillustrative only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims and their full scope of equivalents.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A device for processing purchases comprising: achip; an activation component coupled to the chip; and an outputcomponent coupled to the activation component; wherein the activationcomponent is configured to: receive an input signal via the chip; enablethe activation component when a purchase is made; and activate theoutput component based on a completion event.
 22. The device of claim21, the device further comprising a power source configured to receive acharge from a terminal through an action of inserting, swiping, orwaving.
 23. The device of claim 22, wherein the input signal is receivedfrom the terminal.
 24. The device of claim 21, wherein the input signalis controlled by user preferences.
 25. The device of claim 21, whereinthe input signal further comprises a dynamic signal.
 26. The device ofclaim 21, wherein the input signal is generated based on a countdown ofa certain repeated occurrence.
 27. The device of claim 21, wherein theoutput component generates, upon activation, an output signal with asensory indication.
 28. The device of claim 27, wherein the sensoryindication includes at least one of a display of lights, sounds, smells,or haptic sensations.
 29. The device of claim 21, wherein the activationcomponent is configured to initiate multiple count-downs based ondifferent events.
 30. The device of claim 21, wherein the device furthercomprises a location component configured to transmit locationinformation of the device.
 31. The device of claim 30, wherein theactivation component is further configured to activate the outputcomponent based on location information of the device.
 32. The device ofclaim 21, wherein the completion event is associated with at least onepurchase.
 33. The device of claim 21, wherein the activation componentis further configured to periodically update a value of a count-downstored at the device.
 34. The device of claim 21, wherein: thecompletion event comprises a plurality of completion events; and theactivation component is further configured to initiate a count-down bysimultaneously initiating a plurality of count-downs to times associatedwith the plurality of completion events.
 35. A method for processingpurchases, comprising: receiving an input signal associated with apurchase executed using a transaction card; based on the input signal,initiating a count-down to an event related to the purchase; andactivating an output component of the transaction card when thecount-down expires.
 36. The method of claim 35, further comprisingstoring a counter value associated with a time of the purchase.
 37. Themethod of claim 36, wherein the input signal is configured to incrementthe counter value.
 38. The method of claim 36, wherein the counter valueis a number of purchases at a particular merchant.
 39. The method ofclaim 35, wherein activating the output component comprises instructingthe output component to generate a sensory indication.
 40. The method ofclaim 39, wherein the sensory indication is at least one of: a visualindication, an auditory indication, an odor indication, or a touchindication.